All 22 teams are deep in talent, and $60,000 has already been awarded this season. But the question of who's got the beef won't be answered until later in the season when we see who claims the biggest piece of the $1.1 million purse. With just two events on the books so far, anyone could be on top come Vegas.

“I think the PBR Bull Team deal is positive and gets more people involved,” said breeder Danny Mason. “Time will tell, but it can't do anything but help the bull industry, in one way or another. Bulls coming out of the ABBI Finals have had some exposure, and now they can get more by being on a team.”

The ABBI has been successful in creating some 3 and 4-year-old superstars, and by being on a team —once they are ready to compete on the Built Ford Tough Series — these same bulls will get even greater exposure and increased star power. The excitement and momentum the industry has after the ABBI World Bucking Bull Classic each Fall should translate into many of the 4-year-old bulls being drafted onto a PBR Team for that following season.

Different team owners look for different qualities in a bull, but they all want an animal that can get a high score that will translate into high points and high dollars. The father and son team of Dillon and H.D. Page have two teams, D&H Cattle Co. and Paige Haines. They also have a bull on the Red Horns team.

“I'm pretty excited about our teams,” said H.D. Page. “One team has ‘been there and done that,’ whereas another team is made up of young bulls. I think the concept and idea are great. This year will be a learning experience for all of us, and if everyone keeps that in mind going in, then I think it will just grow and get better.”

As more teams get involved each year, the prize purse will grow. Owning a team is a way for stock contractors to recoup a bigger percentage of the money they've invested in their herds over the years. It also allows folks from outside of the bucking bull industry to invest in our sport, while financially enriching the owners whose bulls are chosen for teams. “Our hope is to win first, of course,” said Don Kish of his and partner Michael Gaughan's aspiration for their South Point team. “I like the team concept because for the past six or seven years, people have been trying to figure out ways to make more money from what we already do. I want to buck them 10 times less, and make more than I already do!”
Even though it requires a $50,000 investment to get involved, the rewards can be huge. “I can literally take five bulls and make three times more than I would taking 30 or 40 bulls to an event. That is the reality,” affirmed Kish. “And if we don't get innovative in ways like that, then it is all for show if we don't find ways to make more money. Our bulls are healthy, well-fed and ready to go. If they don't buck it isn't because they aren't cared for — they're just no good!” Kish obviously has a sense of humor. With some of the best genetics to be found on any coast, Don and Janelle Kish have assembled a California dream team to be proud of.

Another West Coast dream team belongs to Cindy and Julio Moreno and Flying U Rodeo (which is owned by Cindy's dad, the legendary Cotton Rosser).

Add 20 other amazing teams from across the country into the mix, and you can bet that each and every one of the 16 events this season will be the scene of some intense competition. Nearly every team has some straight-out fabulous short round bulls and each team has a solid batch of good buckers. But even great bulls can have on off day, and with competition this strong, even losing a fraction of a point could mean the difference between taking home the $20,000 for first at an event — or having to settle for second or third.

Bringing anything but your A-game just won't cut it in a field this talented. It will be interesting to see who earns their varsity letters this season.